Rate This Page
PrintHow to Become a Member
Click here for information on Readmission Procedures
There are three possible routes into membership of CIPFA. The vast majority of members are those who have successfully completed our Education and Training programme, known as Bye-Law 4. The other two routes are known as Bye-Law 5 and Bye-Law 6.
Detailed below are the extracts from the Institute’s Charter and Bye-Laws which set out the criteria for membership.
Bye-Law 4
"No person shall be elected a qualified accountant Member unless he has satisfied the education, training and examination requirements from time to time of the Institute."
PAQ Graduates wishing to apply for full membership to CIPFA should print, complete and send the Application for Membership Under Bye-Law 4 form to the Institute with the appropriate application fee. A signed form is required, copies and faxes cannot be accepted.
Download Bye-Law 4 Form (old scheme): Word
| PDF Download Bye-Law 4 Form (new scheme - including IPDS): Word
| PDF |
People who are not eligible under Bye-Law 5 or 6, but are members or part-qualified from the other CCAB bodies should refer to the Entry Routes area of the Education & Training website.
Bye-Law 5
- The Council may by a vote of three-fourths of the members of the Council present and voting elect as a Member a person who has made a significant contribution to the work of the Institute.
- Any person who is elected under this Bye-Law shall, notwithstanding anything contained in Bye-Law 4, be elected as a qualified accountant Member even though the person concerned does not fulfil the conditions prescribed by Bye-Law 4 if that person:
- has, in the opinion of the Council, attained standards in education, training and examinations comparable to those required of qualified accountant Members of the Institute; and
- is a member of a body which is from time to time recognised by the Institute for the purposes of this Bye-Law.
Bye-Law 6
- The Council may by a vote of three-fourths of the members of the Council present and voting elect as a Member a person who, in the opinion of the Council, (i) is recognised as having obtained a position of distinction in the field of public finance (whether or not that person is a qualified accountant) and (ii) has made a significant contribution towards the promotion of the objects and purposes for which the Institute is constituted.
- Any person who is elected under this Bye-Law shall, notwithstanding anything contained in Bye-Law 4, be elected as a qualified accountant Member even though the person concerned does not fulfil the conditions prescribed by Bye-Law 4 if that person:
- has, in the opinion of the Council, attained standards in education, training and examinations comparable to those required of qualified accountant Members of the Institute; and
- is a member of a body which is from time to time recognised by the Institute for the purposes of this Bye-Law.
Membership under Bye-Law 5 or 6
Applications are normally ‘sponsored’ by Council members or Institute Directors; Bye-Law 5 or 6 members are therefore people who the Institute has worked with closely within financial management and accountancy within the public services. As shown in the Bye-Law wording, membership under Bye-Law 5 or 6 is entirely within the gift of Council and is not given lightly.